The Best of Dubai Attractions

Dubai is UAE’s travel hotspot and well for a good reason! It’s a city of high rises, gigantic shopping malls among other attractions that have transformed the city from a desert outpost to a city of glamour. Tourists from across the globe flock for shopping, sunshine and family fun. The city of glitz is particularly popular for its incredible sightseeing attractions including world’s tallest building-the Burj Khalifa. Besides, the city has numerous cultural highlights and tons of things to do. In this post we’ll go deeper into the range of attractions in the city to allow you make an informed choice next time you’re planning on a sightseeing trip to Dubai. To expand your options even further, Arabia Horizons has included useful information on some of the most epic places of interest in UAE. 

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

This is remarkably the first national park in UAE offering guests a stunning landscape of the sand dunes, the desert along its fauna which together creates such a beautiful scenery. The Dubai conservation reserve was once a camel farm with the land it occupies being bought by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who through inspiration by South Africa’s national parks saw it perfect for Dubai to have own reserve.

The reserve is without a doubt a must visit for any outdoor adventure enthusiasts to experience dune bashing, sand boarding, off-roading and just so much more.

Highlights

●        Views of native wildlife including the sand cat, Gordon’s wildcat, Arabian hare, hedgehog and pygmy shrew to mention but a few

●        Colorful and diverse plants with several tree species, flowering shrubs and grasses

●        Plenty of adventure activities including dune drives, hot air balloon flights, outdoor dinners in Bedouin inspired camps

Tips

●        Bring sunscreen, glasses and a hat

●        Drink plenty of water

●        Wear comfortable shoes and clothing

Bedouin Camps - At The Top Burj Khalifa

Bedouin people are a desert dwelling ethnic group found in the Arabian Peninsula. Although the rapid modernization has resulted to most Bedouin herders and nomadic herders seeking alternate livelihood in the city, the camps still allow visitors to learn more about the Bedouin heritage.

Highlights

●        Found in the dunes of Dubai desert

●        Insight of what it might have looked like for a Bedouin family surviving in the harsh conditions of the desert

Tips

●        Perfect for adventure travelers, families and first-time visitors to Emirates

●        Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat especially if visiting during daytime

●        Carry a light jacket because temperatures drop significantly in the desert once the sun goes down

Dubai Museum

Take a step back and escape the heat appreciating Dubai’s history in the air conditioned museum right beneath the epic Al Fahidi Fort-Also Dubai’s oldest building dating way back to 1787. Fun fact-Dubai was settled in as far as the Bronze age with rare alabaster objects from 3,000 BC to prove it.

Bastakiya 

These are Dubai’s oldest buildings based in the atmospheric persian quarter-Bastakiya. The builders of these homes were Persian merchants from Bastak in Southern Iran. It’s only a decade ago the government rescued the crumbling buildings, reconstructed them and are now home to art galleries, cafes and boutique hotels.

Deira Souqs

If you’ve already visited Dubai museum and the Bastakiya, hop on an abra,-a traditional small wooden boat and visit the Deira side.for uneatable displays of Jewellery.

Jumeirah

Enjoy the grandeur of the low-rise suburbs spread spred along the beach. An outstanding feature of the  low-rise villas is the lush gardens and the gigantic sheikh’s palace situated behind high walls. The area is best visited in the morning hours, take a Jumeirah Mosque Tour then head over to Sheikh Mohammed’s Centre for Cultural Understanding. This takes us to our next attraction.

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Situated in an old, yet elegant two storey courtyard is a perfect place for visitors to learn more about Islam and the Emirati culture in general. The centre takes things even a notch higher by hosting cultural meals including Breakfast (Available Mon and Wed,10am), Brunch (Sat 10:30 am), Lunch (Sun-Tues, 1pm), Dinner (Sun, Tues, Thurs 7pm) and Fuala (Sun, Tues, Thurs, 4:30pm)

NB: Fuala: Emirati style of welcoming guests with tea and pastries

Madinat Jumeirah

Since the dawn of Madinat Jumeirah, tons of shopping malls have arisen including the world class mall of Emirates, not mentioning the monumental Dubai Mall. Enjoy quality shopping from designer brands to varied dining options.and drinks including: Moroccan and Arabic coffee.

Al Ain

The area boasts plentiful attractions including wonderful forts, tranquil palm oases, archaeological museum and fascinating souqs.

Luckily, you can book a trip with friendly rates on Arabia Horizons (please insert link-couldn’t trace it) for a getaway of one or two in the laid back, low-key Al Ain.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House

It would be an absolute pleasure visiting former home of the ruling Maktoum’s family. The house dates back to 1894 for the ruler’s grandfather and currently preserved as a museum. Inside it hosts a dozen photographs, documents and furnishings. The real amusement however comes from stepping inside the famous home which is by the way one of the oldest buildings in the city. The building boasts a classic example of domestic Arabian architecture complemented with picturesque wind towers.

Sharjah 

Popularly known as the pearl of the gulf, Sharjah is the third largest Emirate and the only one with the privilege of a coastline on both coastlines (Persian gulf & gulf of Oman). In 1998, UNESCO designated the city also close to Dubai the title-The Arab City of Culture. Today the city has lived upto the title by giving visitors a range of cultural experiences. Start your exploration at the Heritage Area located near the Corniche. It’s here that you’ll find Sharjah Museum of Islamic civilization, the stunning Al Hisn Fort and Souq-Al-Arsah.     

The Desert

Finally, no better way to wind up our epic list of amazing attractions in Dubai and around UAE than with the majestic landscapes of the desert. Only 20 minutes away from the ultra-modern downtown Dubai, you get to experience the wonders of the Arabian desert. In fact, the desert is the original attraction in Dubai  Make it a priority to go on a desert safari-Dubai style that suits your preference including: Off-roading, quad biking and sand boarding.

Seeing is believing and you don’t have to read or be told of the many wonders of the Arabian gulf. Come experience and make your own story